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By JEFF MAKI
Norwegian melodic thrashers Susperia have returned with album No. 5, their first offering for Candlelight Records, Attitude. I first started to get into this band with their album Unlimited (2004), and they followed that up with a strong release in 2007's Cut from Stone. The band's sound can be compared to Machine Head or Testament, a lethal combination of thrash, melody and classic metal. Unlimited hinted at a more accessible sound with songs like “Chemistry” and “Devil May Care,” and Cut from Stone took this further with “More” and “Lackluster Day.” No, they weren't at all radio-friendly, but there was a noticeable, yet effective difference. With Attitude, Susperia shows off plenty of it, a band truly out to make a statement that they intend to remain heavy and underground into the distant future.
I can appreciate any band returning to their roots and relying on the old rip-your-face off approach, but I'm somewhat disappointed with this album. I thought the band was about to go places. They had a great couple of albums that seemed to have them on the verge of a breakthrough. I don't know if Susperia was trying to keep up with the Joneses, but Attitude is not anywhere near as accessible. Songs are fast and thrashy. I know the band gets tired of this comparison, but now, if not before, they truly do sound like a heavier version of the classic—and still running—thrash band Testament. Songs rely on devastating rhythms and vocalist Athera delivers strong vocals, giving the band its shape. And yes, he sounds a lot like Testament's Chuck Billy. Now, with a lot of the previous dynamic gone, Susperia does more to blend in with the rest of the metal pack, rather than continue what they had started. The other trying thing here is that the album only contains eight songs. Eight songs?! What is this, No Rest for the Wicked? When an album only has this few songs. I start to wonder: Was the band short on ideas? Lazy? Or where they trying to stylize and present this as some sort of career-defining album in the vein of Master of Puppets?
I'll mark the album down at a 7/10, though that may be generous. But hey, I like the band. The album is decent for what it is and certainly heavy enough. I just expected a lot more from Susperia this time around.
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